To be honest, the first time I visited Morocco, I wasn’t a fan. Well, to be more precise, the first time I visited Marrakech, I wasn’t a fan. It was a long weekend jaunt way back, and between the harassment and getting sick, it was the first time I’d visited anywhere and came away vowing not to return. But I did, and over my following visits, and with a little more planning, I soon fell in love with Morocco and even Marrakech. I think it’s fair to say a lot has changed in the last decade.
Still, when planning a trip to Morocco, choosing where, when and how to travel around will play a big role in how much you enjoy your experience. Putting aside the obvious, such as visas, scams and currency – it’s the Moroccan Dirham (MAD), by the way – these Morocco travel tips should help in the pre-planning stage to hopefully ensure you have a fantastic first visit.
Learn some of the right language(s)
Morocco’s two official languages are Arabic and Amazigh. But it’s not as simple as that. The Arabic language has noticeable differences across the world and here it’s no exception. If you plan to learn some phrases, be sure to study Moroccan Arabic, known as Darija, to ensure you are learning the most local versions of words although the most general terms remain relatively similar.
Alongside the two official languages, due to the French protectorate and history of the nation, French is widespread and, in the north especially, you’ll also be able to get by with Spanish. In touristy areas you’ll also likely get by with English, though when planning your trip to Morocco, it’s a courtesy to at least learn some local Darija words and, if you plan on spending time in the mountains or desert, a few Amazigh phrases too.
Understand the local customs, etiquette and LGBTQ+ laws
All visitors to Morocco should keep in mind it’s a fairly conservative country. Instagram photoshoots might tell a different story, but for most travellers, dressing moderately (covering shoulders and knees), being respectful if visiting the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, not drinking too much alcohol and being mindful of what you say – such as when referencing the Western Sahara – should be enough to not cause offence.
For the LGBTQI+ community, further cautions should be taken. It might seem like Marrakech has become something of a liberal, creative and free-spirited city in recent years, but homosexuality remains illegal. Absolutely avoid public displays of affection and take general precautions. Still, there is an active underground gay scene in the country and if you speak to a few queer locals you’ll hear that while the legal stance remains firm, as long as discreet, the community isn’t persecuted in the same way as in some other Muslim nations. Still, you might want to consider one of the growing number of gay tours. Having a local guide who fully understands the situation and dynamics will undoubtedly be safer than trying to find the scene yourself.
Choose your dates wisely
Morocco makes for an excellent year-round destination, but you’ll want to factor in the heat of summer vs the winter chill. There’s even a ski resort near Ifrane, dubbed the Little Switzerland. My last trip was over Christmas and New Year and I found the temperatures perfect and it was not too crowded. Pay particular attention to the dates of Ramadan, the holy month, as this can affect opening hours although not to the same extent as in some other countries such as Egypt. If you do visit during Ramadan, read up on the correct cultural practices to follow, especially as many people you meet will be fasting.
Consider arriving from Spain by ferry
On a clear day, you can see Morocco’s Rif Mountains from southern Spain. It’s only 15 km between the two countries at their closest points. Combining Spain’s Andalucia regions – which shares a lot of history and cultural elements – with Morocco is an excellent idea and easily done by ferry.
However, not all routes are created easily and if you plan to arrive in Morocco by ferry you’ll want to check the different routes, each with their pros and cons, to work out where you’ll arrive and how you’ll continue onwards. This is especially true if you plan to enter or return via one of Spain’s exclaves, Melilla and Ceuta, as then you’ll need to do the border controls on land, rather than onboard the ferry.
Book your train tickets (and major attractions) in advance
My number one Morocco travel tip is to book your high-speed train tickets in advance, particularly if you need to travel on a specific service at a specific time. ONCF is the train operator in the country and it has two websites; use the ONCF Voyages website to book online. All seats require a reservation so, once the last seat is sold, there is no chance of getting onboard.
This is especially true for the high-speed Al Boraq services which are often used by commuted inter-city. But if you want to secure a seat on the slower Al Atlas trains, you should also book ahead as these are especially popular with locals travelling around. We had an issue with the wrong date being on our tickets on one of these services but, while the conductor let us squeeze into a hallway, all the seats were already reserved so there was no chance of buying a new ticket last minute. You’ll also want to secure timeslots for some of the most popular attractions, like Marrakech’s Jardin Majorelle in advance.
Research bus companies and routes
If you’re planning to travel Morocco extensively on your own, chances are you’ll need to use the inter-city bus network at some point as the trains simply don’t reach all major destinations. There are two main operators. Supratours is generally the best option for onward train connections. Being a subsidiary of ONCF, the Morocco rail operator, many departures and arrivals are directly to the stations.
The second operator, serving more destinations, is CTM. Both operate modern and clean coach style buses and can be booked online in advance. However, there are other bus operators in different parts of the country so you don’t need to be totally reliant on pre-booking and can check at the bus station for which routes and services are going where, buying the ticket before boarding. Just be warned that some of these services can be old, rattly and call at more stops so just sit back and enjoy the local experience.
Read up on Amazigh history and heritage
Often the culture of the indigenous people of Morocco, the Amazigh, can be overlooked on city breaks, especially given the the population is majority Arabic and Muslim. However, the Amazigh account for around 30% of the nation’s population and, especially when you go into the mountains, you’ll meet and hear their stories.
On the Intrepid Best of Morocco tour I took, I was so grateful to have had Hicham as my guide as he was so generous in sharing his culture and answering all and any questions we had. Do read up a little bit about the Amazigh’s history and heritage before you arrive in Morocco so you have a basic understanding, and be aware that the term Berber, while often used interchangeably with Amazigh, has negative connotations as it derives from the Latin word for barbarian.
Hire a local guide
I’m not usually one for hiring local guides, especially in the modern age of so much history and contextual information being available online. However, in Morocco, I’d suggest making arrangements for a few reasons.
Firstly, in Marrakech or Fez’s maze-like medinas, you’ll ensure you don’t miss any of the more local spots while getting lost. Secondly, there’s still a lot of context that I found missing online, especially when it comes to learning more about the Amazigh people. Thirdly, it will put your mind at ease if you’re a bit nervous about your first souk visit or haggling experience – just keep in mind that most guide’s have their go-to spots, often friends.
Spend a little more on the right accommodation
My biggest mistake on my first visit, and thus, one of the most important travel tips for Morocco in my eyes is to book the right accommodation. Yes, traditional riads with their central courtyards, are the gold standard of accommodation in Morocco but they aren’t all equal. Outside of popular tourist cities you’ll be able to enjoy an indulgent experience for a very fair price, but you might want to splurge if you’re staying in Fez or Marrakech to ensure you get the experience you’re after – especially if you want a pool to take a dip.
The same goes for dessert camps; do your research and find the right one, especially if you want a more intimate stay without numerous tour groups in one place. Lastly, do consider staying in homestays, especially in the mountains, as this is when you’ll really start to get to know the country through more personal connections. Just leave your expectations at home and respect that, even if you’re paying, you’re a guest in someone’s home.
Pack for all climes
Morocco’s diverse geography means that you could be burning by day and shivering at night. This is especially true when you head to the Atlas Mountains or plan to camp in the Sahara Desert. Bring plenty of layers to keep warm no matter the season, particularly at night, so you don’t end up sleeping in your winter coat like I did.
Do plan to go beyond Marrakech (even if you hate it)
When organising your trip to Morocco I urge you to plan to visit at least one other destination. Yes, it’s the most famous and popular destination in the country, but it’s also not overly representative of Morocco. I know many people who went to Marrakech and at first didn’t enjoy the experience (myself included), but on a second visit they soon found they loved other parts of the country. It’s easy to combine another city by rail, such as more cosmopolitan Casablanca or Rabat, while Tangier can make for a more laid-back city break.
Practice your bargaining and know the base prices
Haggling in souks (markets) is commonplace and one of my biggest Morocco travel tips would be to have a little practice before arriving and, if you have a specific purchase in mind, try to research what it should actually cost before you go into negotiations. I found that proposed prices could often start at double or triple what they were meant to be.
But don’t be disheartened, once you get into the firm but friendly swing of it – usually while sipping a mint tea – you realise it’s all part of the fun and the experience. Just remember the two key rules: 1) It’s only a scam if you walk feeling ripped off, and 2) it’s a two-way transaction; often as travellers we have the upper financial hand, and sometimes, throwing in some extra dirham is a nice gesture even if you feel you can shake it down further.
Plan enough time and be realistic
One of the most important planning tips for Morocco is to be realistic with your schedule. The country might not look huge on a map, but there are abundant mountains, a vast desert, and some roads can often be far slower to drive than your GPS suggests. Most group tours follow whirlwind itineraries, and you’ll often find that you are spending half of the trip on some form of transport. For a country overview, that’s great.
If you want to really slow down and soak up the experience, you’ll want to either cover less ground or plan a longer trip. One week should be enough to string a few cities together or enjoy a night in the desert and a city or two, but for an in-depth exploration of the country, plan a minimum of a fortnight, ideally longer. Either way, be flexible with your schedule to allow for things going wrong and always try to get back to your departure point at least the night before.
Morocco can be as expensive or affordable as you like
Balancing your finances when planning a trip goes for any destination. But it’s especially relevant when planning a trip to Morocco as the costs vary wildly. A boutique Riad in Marrakech might cost the same as ten days staying in an equivalent in Tetouan, so if you want a luxury experience for less, you might want to widen your destination search.
Likewise, a street food diet will keep your costs uber low, but there are some incredible award-winning restaurants that can quickly eat up your budget. Bottom line is this: don’t come to Morocco expecting it to be a cheap trip unless you specifically plan for it.
Consider supporting earthquake-hit communities
While not really a Morocco travel tip, it’s worth considering how your visit can support the local communities that were devastated by the earthquake in September 2023. While a year has passed, much of the work to rebuild villages – and equally as important, shift the attention back to critical work, such as water infrastructure, that has been delayed due to earthquake recovery – continues as I discovered after spending some time with the team at the High Atlas Foundation. Consider donating your money to a charity on the ground such as HAF who can ensure that it reaches where it is needed.
